dawntwister

I made a strip for my 29 gallon tank that cost $53.
Items:
3 undercounter light plant strips (lightsofamerica) $10
1 philips sunlight bulb $10
1 long plastic flower box $ 8
mylar (from user at this forum) $ 5

With rug tape taped mylar in the box. With bolts and nuts put the lightstrips in the box and box sits upside down over hood.

Afterwards found out that lightsofamerica lights are not dependable. In fact got lightsofamerica to replace 1 light after 3 months. So far have had it running since Jan, 08 and no problems.

I plan to combine it with a light fixture that I bought on EBay for $50. Ebay light strip is slightly used but bought it for a 1/3 of selling price. Unfortunately the fans on the fixture are to loud. I am planning to replace the fans. Just haven't gotten to that yet.

dawntwister

After 8 months noticed only the java fern were growing well.
From what I had read I thought it work but not good after all.

The philips bulb was 6500K Daylight White Color

Now have a satellite light system made by current-usa which has a Dual 65 Watt 6,700K/10,000K Daylight bulb. Everything is growing. Growth is more bushy on top, thus light probably isn't being reflected to the bottom.

chagovatoloco

Using a flower box... creative. It has the right shape and can be painted easily.

dawntwister

Thanks!!

I had decided on the plastic flower box for I have allergies that would be aggravated if I shellacked a wood box.